â—est The principle of Grace and these merâ—ies themselves are of a durable nature Grace â—s an immortal seed a never-dying root â—rincipium continuativum Joh. 7.38 He that â—elieveth in me as the Scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water though Grace is loseable in its own nature yet not in event because God upholds it the house built on the rock shall stand immovable Prov. 10.25 1 Jâ—h 2.17 the righteous is an everlasting foundation he that doth the will of God abides for ever yea he hath eternal life abiding in him But may not they depart from God no not totally and finally for God hath put his fear in their hearts that they shall not depart from him Jer. 32.40 they may sin and provoke God to withdraw the sense of his love they may lose their standing comforts and some degrees of Grace but never be stripped naked wholly of these sure mercies of David God hath secret hold of them and they have more hold of him than others have they are restless and dissatisfied till they enjoy God and these mercies be clear to them this Golden Chain stretcheth it self from everlasting it begins in free Election and ends in final salvation whom he predestinates them he calls justifies glorifies Rom. 8.29 30. it is horrid sacriledge to pluck one link from this golden Chain God is the finisher as well as the Author of faith it is not within the compass of any finite being to rob a gracious soul of the love of God or stop the channel of his Free-Grace to the Covenanted soul Paul can make a bold and brave challengeâ— Rom. 8.35 38 39. Who shall separate us from the love of God and he makes a sufficient enumeration of all things that were likely to conquer the believing soul and yet concludes that in all these things we are more than conquerours through Christ there are in the word sweet promises that may answer all Arminian Cavils and unbelieving fears concerning perseverance which many choice champions have produced and managed with dexterity and success See Mr. Prins Treat of Perseverance Dr. Prid. Lect. 7. De persevsanct Dr. Ames Coron Artic. 5. De perseverantiâ CHAP. IV. 3. THE third Head to be opened is more particularly to shew what is the way of making sure these Covenant-mercies how God doth it Now there are several steps of making a thing sure amongst men and God hath used the same means and some degrees more to make these mercies sure to the Children of men 1. Men are wont to pass their word When they promise any thing upon the word of an honest man they expect credit and among men this is current and the God of Heaven is worthy to be believed upon his bare word if I may so speak for he is a God that cannot lye nor deny himself yea let God be true and every man a lyar even a Balaam is convinced of it and must profess it Numb 23.19 God is not a man that he should ly hath he said and shall he not do it or hath he spoken and shall he not make it good the unchangeable God hath ingaged his Word in the New Covenant the Patriarchs of old gave credit to all that God spake by dreams visions and revelations as Abraham Isaac and Jacob. 2. Hence Neâ— 9 38. We make a sure Covenant and write it Men use to give greater evidence by subscribing their hand and putting their mind and promise into Writing hence the expression and practice of giving Letters of credence and we use to say men are mortal give it me under your hand that will abide for litera scripta manet well our gracious God hath condescended to subscribe his promises under his own hand the hand of his blessed Spirit the word of God is upon record therefore whatsoever was written it is for our learning I may add satisfaction that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15.4 he hath given assurance to us of these things in the word of truth for this cause was the Gospel written that we may know the certainty of these things Luk. 1.4 and that we might believe Joh. 20.31 who dare now dispute or doubt of the truth and sureness of Gospel-promises since Heaven and Earth may pass away but one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law till all be fulfilled Mat. 5.18 3. Men use to call in Witnesses for further confirmation some important businesses require several witnesses Deut. 19.15 it s a standing rule at the mouth of two or three witnesses shall the matter be established well the God of Heaven hath confirmed his Gospel to us by three and three witnesses there 's three in Heaven the glorious persons of the Blessed Trinity the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one one in essence though three persons 1 Job 5.7 these bear Record of Christs God-head and there are three that bear witness in earth ver 8. these testifie of Christs manhood the Spirit i. e. say some his breathing out his soul and spirit in his giving up the Ghost and water and blood that came out of his side when it was pierced with a spear that shew he was real man and that he did really dye Hanc sequor sententiam hoc loco nec puto aliam posse adduci veriorem Aretius in loc See Mar'orate in loc Aretius interprets these three latter of the spirit in the Ministry of the Word the Water of Baptism and the Blood of the Lords Supper representing Christs meritorious Blood-shed and still this interpretation further confirms the Gospel-Covenant and consequently the mercies of it 4. Men use to give assurance to others by setting to their seal hence the practice amongst us of setting a seal to bills bonds leases purchases letters patents and this seal hath usually persons cognizance or Coat of Armes or some impression upon it and leaves the impression upon the Wax the God of Heaven adds his seal there is the broad seal of the new Covenant Baptism and the Lords Supper given and appointed purposely for the confirmation of our faith and asâ—uring of our hearts of the truth of the proâ—mises as Circumcision is called a seal of the Righteousness of faith Rom. 4.11 for by â—ese seals both the Grace of God is confirmed to us and holy impressions wrought in thâ— hearts of the elect there are also privy seals the seal of this blessed spirit in our hearts Ephes Eph. 4.30.2 Cor. 1 22. 1.13 sealed with that holy spirâ— of promise hereby Gods Children are distiâ—guished from wicked men and confirmed iâ— the truth of the Gospel yea it beareth witness with their spirit that they are the Chiâ—dren of God Rom. 8.16 this is an elegant simâ—litude for all civil Charters and Testamenâ— become authentick by the addition of a seaâ— and the seal in â—ormer times was the note iâ— Letters by which
gift of God and none can come to Christ except the Father draw him Joh. 6.44 Alas it is as impossible to believe in Christ as to keep the Moral Law from principles of corrupted nature our state had been sad and forlorn still if God had not undertaken to work the faith which he requireth Duce Dâ—o venitur ad deum 't is only the arm of omnipotency that can draw the soul to Christ Jesus is the only Author and finisher of our faith Heb. 12.2 Eph. 1.19 there is an exceeding greatness of his power to all them that believe put forth to create an act of saving faith all they that have felt it can testifie that this is a rich mercy and this is one of the mercies of the Covenant More particularly there are four choice dispositions promised in the Covenant of Grace which are Covenant-mercies 1. Saving illumination Jer. 31.34 they shall all know me saith the Lord by nature we are blind and blockish creatures but the new Covenant brings light and sight to the ignorant erring sinner and Oh what a mercy is it to know God and Christ and sin and misery and duty and felicity to know Scripture-truths and Gospel-mysteries our own hearts and the sweetness of Grace heaven and the way thither certainly such saving knowledge is worth a world truly such light is sweet and a pleasant thing it is for the eye of the soul to behold the Sun of Righteousness and the beauty of Heaven what blind Bartimeus would not own it as a rich mercy to have his eyes opened and is it not a blessed thing to be translated out of Aegyptian darkness into this marvelous light Oh happy are the eyes that are annointed with the new-covenant eye-salve and behold Coelestial objects through this Divine optick of faith and become faithful guides to the feet of an holy life 2. Sound humiliation this is another Covenant-mercy Ezek. 11.19 I will take the stony heart out of their flesh and will give them an heart of flesh a broken heart is instead of many Sacrifices an hard heart is the greatest judgement and a soft heart the greatest mercy repentance is Gods gift bound up in the Covenant of Grace our sweet and blessed Redeemer is exalted as well to be a Prince that he may give Repentance as to be a Saviour to give unto us remission of sins Oh what a mercy is the spirit of Repentance they that have this Godly sorrow shall never need to sorrow for it such a Repentance needs not to be repented of blessed are they that mourn for sin for they shall rejoyce happy such as sow in tears for they shall â—eap in joy certainly a Converted sinner looks upon a repenting heart as a rich mercy one penitent tear is an orient pearl of more worth than the whole Creation a bleeding soul is a blessed sight in the eyes of God and man it layes the Christian under the promise of the Covenant and qualifies it for remission and the sweetest consolation 3. Another Covenant-mercy with respect to the condition is heart-sanctification Ezek. 36.25 I will sprinkle clean water upon you and you shall be clean this is the mercy that David is so importunate for create in me a clean heart no less than creation will effect it a putting off the old man and putting on the new in a sound Regeneration is a miraculous mercy Oh what would a poor soul give for dominion over some special corruptions and power to resist temptations why here it is this mercy of mortification which is also a Christians duty is infolded in this blessed Gospel-Covenant so that sin shall not have Dominion over them that are under this Covenant of Grace a Christian can do more to mortifie sin and Crucifie the flesh than another man every word of God hath a cleansing vertue now you are clean saith Christ through the word that I have spoken to you but the promises of the Covenant have a direct and immediate tendency to cleansing 2 Cor. 7.1 having these promises i. e. the fore-mentioned Covenant let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit it is only the Gospel Covenant that can make Evangelically holy and holiness is the image of God the beauty of a soul the duty of a Christian and the mercy of the Covenant 4. A spiritual conversation this is also included in the Covenant Ezek. 36.27 I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my Commandments and do them Oh what a blessed thing is it to have a heart to love and fear and serve the Lord Oh what a mercy to be inabled to perform holy duties to walk with God in all wayes of well-pleasing Jer. 31.33 to have the Law of God written in the heart and transcribed in the life yea to keep Gods commands with ease alacrity and complacency not to have them grievous but pleasant to the soul and thus it is when the Christian acts from an innate principle of Grace and Holiness well this is the promised and purchased condition of the New Covenant God undertakes to put a new habit into the soul his fear which is the beginning of Wisdom and principle of obedience God gives the spirit of prayer the spirit of power love and of a sound mind 2 Tim. 1.9 he promiseth to give them one heart and one way that they may fear him for ever Jer. 32.39 Oh what rich mercies of the New Covenant are these 4. Yet the great mercies of the Covenant are behind under the next head for a Covenant contract conveyance contains the Habendum or grant reflecting advantage to the party Covenanting and that in these words I will be thy God this is repeated fifteen or sixteen times in the Scriptures this this is the mercy of the New Covenant the mercy of mercies the flower cream and quintescence of all mercies God gives himself to the soul by Covenant and what greater or better gift can he bestow if he should give us all the world and deny himself we are miserable beggars if he give himself and nothing of the world we are truly rich if we have God we have all things if we want God we want all things Deus mâ—us est omnia Ben scripsisti Thoma qâ—id pet Resp nil nisi â—ipsum Domine my God is my All saith one 't is recorded of Thomas Aquinas the great School-man that a voice from Heaven spake thus to him thou hast well written Thomas what desirest thou and that he answer thus nothing O Lord but thy self this certainly is the Language of a gracious soul Lord put me not off with any thing below or besides thy self what mortal Creature durst have presumed to beg of God such a boon if God had not graciously promised himself in the New Covenant what can the creature desire more what can it now want when it hath an infinite God all
Covenant is as sure as that the World shall no more be totally drowned with Water yea as sure as the standing of the lasting Mountains and Hills yet further as sure as the Ordinances of Sun by day Moon and Starrs by night nay once more it 's as possible that the Heavens should be measured by the short span of a mortal man or the foundations of the earth searched out as for the great and unchangeable God to violate this Gospel-Covenant with his dear Israel of elect souls Read this fully in Isa 54.9 10. Jer. 31.35 36 37. But yet more particularly this Covenant and these mercies of it may be made sure two wayes to believers viz. 1. Infallibly so as not to miss of 2. Immutably so as never to lose these mercies 1. These mercies of the Covenant are sure infallibly i. e. there is a certain number of elect selected souls set apart by the soveraign Lord of Heaven and Earth to eternal happiness by our Lord Jesus Christ and these shall have interest in and possession of the forementioned mercies of David that God hath chosen some to life as the end and through Christ as the way of attaining that end is clear in Scripture Ephes 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him and ver 5. having predestinated us unto the adoption of Children by Jesus Christ to himself and 1 Thes 5.9 for God hath not appointed us unto wrath but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ electing and redeeming love are of the same latitude and extent whom God the Father had in his Council God the Son bore upon the bitter Cross and those that are ordained to eternal life shall believe Act. 13.48 Which Text saith Calvin teacheth that saving faith depends upon Gods eternal election hence also faith is called the faith of Gods Elect Tit. 1.1 because all the Elect and none but the Elect obtain it for all men have not faith it is peculiar to these selected persons Besides God hath laid the plot and platform of mans salvation upon the sure foundation of his own free-grace on purpose to make these things firm and sure to elect souls so that their unworthiness shall not hinder the certain execution of his eternal Decrees Rom. 4.16 therefore it is of faith that it might be by Grace to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed i. e. that the Covenant with all the mercies of it might be made good to all the heirs of promise the election or elect souls hath obtained it but the rest are blinded Rom. 11.7 hence saith the Apostle 2 Tim. 2.19 Dico novit Domiaus qui sunt ejus ipsae oves aliquando seipsas nesciunt sed pastor novit cas secundum electionem ovium ante constitutionem mundi Aug. in Joh. 10. the foundation of God standeth sure the Lord knoweth them that are his he knows these sheep even before they know themselves according to his sure election before the foundation of the world hence also God would not have the enjoyment of these mercies to depend upon mans sorry mutable and inconstant will nor upon any works wrought by man as the whole strain and tenour of the Gospel holds forth and indeed if the whole stress lay on mans free-will it would bring us back to a Covenant of Works and if it were possible for any to attain these that man were the casting cause of his own salvation and then what need of any Redeemer besides it might so fall out yea and would certainly that these mercies might be applyed to none for conditio nihil ponit in esse that which is not effectual without a contingent condition upon which it depends the particular motion of this mans will and so of anothers towards God and closing with promises being in his own choice is doubtful and uncertain and so must needs be the priviledges which depend upon that condition therefore they that make these mercies possibly every ones make them certainly no ones the truth is God hath not left the enjoyment of these Covenant-mercies to the choice or refusal of the fickle or inconstant will of the creature at his pleasure but though he doth not violence to the will but of unwilling makes it willing God himself and Jesus Christ by the holy Spirit hath ingaged himself to bring souls home by converting grace certainly and infallibly though sweetly and suitably to the nature of a rational creature hence effectual calling and instating the elect in these mercies is not left at rovers may-bees or hap-hazard but it 's put beyond all peradventure so that there 's a Must and Shall annext to it Joh. 10.16 other sheep I have them also I must bring and they shall hear my voice Joh. 6.37 All that the father giveth me i. e. by election shall come to me i. e. by faith and repentance the God of Heaven hath ingaged himself for it and he is a God of truth to make good his word and of infinite power and he works and who can let it Videsis Ames Coron ad Coll. Hag. advâ—rsus Remens Artic. prim de electione Cap. 4. p. 15. c. he worketh all things according to the council of his own will Eph. 1.11 All that God the Father hath given to Christ in the free election the Son hath undertaken to bring to glory by his mediatory administration this is the first these mercies are sure infallibly the heir of glory shall partake of them 2. They are sure immutably not any that do partake of these mercies shall ever lose them they shall alwayes have them and shall â—ever be deprived of them there are inâ—eed some common gifts of the spirit that God may revoke and take away as the gifts â—hat Saul had but these gifts of Grace and â—his effectual calling are without repentance Rom. 11.29 he will never repent of or retract â—hese precious donations Mary's better part â—hall never be taken from her worldly riches â—ay be lost but spiritual mercies are durable â—iches God the Author of these mercies is â—mmutable with him there is no variableness â—or shadow of change he receives no variaâ—ion from the contingent events of second â—auses the Lord will not forsake his people for â—is great names sake because it hath pleased â—he Lord to make them his people 1 Sam. â—2 22 he hateth putting away he will not â—is-inherit his Children for misdemeanours â—e knows their frame sees and pitties their â—eaknesses raiseth them out of falls and â—eals their back-slidings Christ Jesus the â—urchaser of these mercies is the Amen Rev. 3.14 Heb. 13.8 Isa 63.1 Joh. 10.28 29. Joh. 17. the â—aithful and true witness the same yesterday â—o day and for ever mighty to save a merciâ—ul and faithful high-Priest none can pluck â—hem out of his hands he will lose none of â—hese that his father hath given him he will â—ave to the uttermost This our Joshua will â—ring the elect souls to the Canaan of eternal
the Author was known anâ— a seal is the mark whereby genuine things aâ— discerned from counterfeit all these are thâ— uses of the spirits sealing to confirm oâ—â— hearts in the truth of God in his promiseâ— against all the temptations of Satan thâ— blessed sealing is more prevalent for our coâ—firmation than all philosophical reasons oâ— demonstrations 5. Another way to beget assurance amoâ—â— men is a solemn Oath and we know an Oaâ— for confirmation is to them an end of all strisâ— Heb. 6.16 and thus God willing more abuâ—dantly to shew unto the heirs of promise thâ— immutability of his Council confirmed it bâ— an Oath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Invâ—tat praemio salutem jurans etiam vivo dicens câ—pit credi sibi O beatos nos queâ— causa deus jurat O misâ—rrimos sinec juranti domino credimus Tertâ— de poen or interposed himself by an Oathâ— it is very observable to consider the form 〈◊〉 the Oath God swears by himself who 〈◊〉 the living and true God he could swear by â—o greater and it is observed that two things make a thing more credible 1. the qualiâ—y of the person speaking 2. The manner of the speech Now the form of the Oath â—n Gen. 22.16 is exceeding emphatical to Abraham partly because of the asseveration surely Gen. 22.16 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Est particula caâ—salis coaditionalis partly because of the duplication in blessing I will bless thee if I speak â—t it shall be done moreover the form of the expression in Genesis is strange for it is thus Quid tibi prodest si Deus se juramâ—nto oâ—stâ—ingâ—t si tu haec quasi communâ—m audiâ—ns fabulam transeas Jurare diâ—itâ—r deus ut tu audiens paveas intreâ—iscas metu consternatus inquiras quid illud tantum est pro â—o deus jurare dicitur Orâ—g Homil. 9. super Gen. 22. if I bless thee thou shalt be blessed or because I bless thee or if I do not bless thee which is the form of an Oath Heb. â—4 3 as if he should say then let me not be true just yea let me not be God God pawns his faithfulness upon it and may he not then be believed but for what end is this it is to confirm his promises and assure the hearts of all the heirs of promise that he intends to do and will accomplish what he hath spoken that they might have strong consolation and that he might take away all doubts and haesitation and all this he doth for the heirs of promise he would not have done thus for others but he doth this and much more to satisfie his doubting Children 6. Yet further men use to give a pawn a pledge to assure others of their real purpose to make good the bargain and this is part of the payment this also doth our gracious God 2 Cor. 1.22 Cap 5.5 Ephes 1.14 his spirit is the earnest of our inheritance untill the redemption of the purchased possession an earnest is used in purchasing Land in hiring of Servants and in contracting Marriage and when ever the Lord puts his Holy Spirit into the heart it s as a pledge of all the mercies of the Covenant and of our eternal inheritance and though some men may be unfaithful so far as rather to lose their earnest than make good their bargain yet we may be assured God will not do so for it is as impossible that any saving grace of the Spirit should be cast into hell as it is for any sin to enter into Heaven God will not lose his pledge but fetch the soul to Heaven when he hath fetcht the heart to himself Grace is the Prologue and Praeludium to Glory the first Resurrection leads the van to the second a gracious change prepares for a glorious change Rom. 8.11 if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you the spirit confirms the promises and we need not fear any danger of retractation not but that the promises are firm enough but he would establish our hearts in the faith thereof and acquiescence therein lest any question it 7. Another way whereby men testifie their cordial resolution to make good promises is by doing a great part of the work which gives real evidence they will do the rest he that promiseth to give another a thousand pounds Should a King promise to erect some Colledge and give liberal maintenance to Students in it we are certain by an humane faith that he will do such a thing thâ—ugh it be not begun but if the foundations be in laying we see its execution in part and are assured it will be finished Baâ—us on Eâ—h c. 1. v. 17. p. 144. and hath already given him nine hundred may he not rationally trust him for the rest or suppose there were but one pound or a penny behind there is great reason to conside in him for what is wanting why truly the Lord hath performed the greatest part of the promises of the Covenant the great promise of the Covenant was that the seed of the Woman should break the Serpents head that the Son of God should be incarnate be in mans stead in life and death to satisfie justice fulfil the Law and by his death bring in everlasting rightcousness and he hath already done it now saith the Apostle Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his own Son See Rom. 4.8 9 10. Qui misit unigenâ—tum immisit spiritum pâ—omisit vultum quid tandem tibi negaturus ost Bern. but delivered him up for us all how shall be not with him also freely give us all things God is before-hand with us yea if we be indeed heirs of promise he hath made good good another grand branch of the New Covenant in giving the conditions of the Covenant faith repentance and new obedience so that the main business is already done the writings are made sealed signed and delivered there wants nothing but actual possession nay there is a Seisin and delivery of part of the inheritance and dare we not trust God for the remainder certainly we have good reason so to do the contrary is unreasonable 8. God hath gone another step which is to work many Miracles for the confirmation of these sure mercies this is a degree further than man can reach to make any thing sure hence saith our sweet Saviour Joh. 5.36 I have greater witness than that of John for the works which the Father hath given me to finish the same works that I do bear witness of me that the father hath sent me this Text shews the true and proper end and efficacy of Christs miracles Igâ—tur non sâ—â—â— muta sâ—d voâ—ahssira ideo non simpliciter intuenda sed intelligâ—nter audienda Marl. in loc they are not dumb shews but have a voice and cry aloud for
faith in the intelligent observer yea and they were wont to beget faith in the spectatours as Nathaniel believed upon Christs telling him of his conference at a distance Joh. 1.48 49. the beginning of his miracles manifested his glory and his Disciples believed in him Joh. 2.11 and others comparing the doctrine of John with Christs Miracles believed on him Joh. 10.41 and indeed the Argument of Miracles is a cogent convincing Argument for no man can do these real Miracles except God be with him Joh. 3.2 Certainly the strange things wrought by Christ ought to assure our hearts of the truth of the Gospel and consequently of the sureness of these Covenant-mercies But upon this subject you have evident and abundant demonstrations from the pen of Reverend Mr. Baxter in his Saints Rest Part 2. in the Preface and in pag. 215. to 234. to which I referr you the truth is God hath graciously condescended to confirm the Gospel by many infallible miracles which none can question and all this to make sure to the elect these Covenant-mercies therefore they are inexcusable that slight this way of the Gospels confirmation See Heb. 2.3 4. 9. Another step that God hath gone is the various wayes that God hath taken to make us know these sure mercies and thereby to assure us thereof As Mat. 3.17 Cap. 17.5 1. An audible intelligible voice from Heaven at Christs Baptism and in his Transfiguration this is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased and this voice the Apostle Peter saith he heard in the Holy Mount 2 Pet. 1.17 18. so that these Gospel mercies are not devised Fables but divine Oracles of undoubted truth 2. The constant preachings of honest and unbiassed men that were eye-witnesses of his glory they give clear evidence of their hatred of evil love of truth and goodness and they could not be perverted by any selfish ends of profit pleasure or honour for these were not proposed promised or attained Nay affliction and persecution was their known portion and therefore certainly could not would not couzen the world with lyes to get that which was not attainable in that way 3. God hath adorned men with admirable gifts to enable them to demonstrate the certainty and excellency of these Covenant-mercies extraordinary gifts in the Apostles dayes as extemporary prophecying 1 Cor. 12.8 9 10. singing healing diseases working miracles discerning spirits divers kinds of tongues so that all Nations might hear these magnalia dei in their own dialect Act. 2.6 Eph. 4.8 and now they are translated into all languages and God hath continued to distribute ministerial gifts for the Churches satisfaction and edification 4. Yea he sent his own Son to be the Preacher as well as Purchaser of these sure mercies he spake at sundry times and in divers manners in times past by the Prophets but in these last dayes he hath spoken to us by his Son Heb. 1.12 the more to conciliate in us reverence and credence for he saith surely they will reverence my Son certainly he will declare to us the whole counsel of God for he was in the bosome of the Father and came from thence for that very end to declare Gods mind Joh. 1.18.5 Yea he hath raised Jesus Christ from the dead so that we have a Preacher sent from the grave to assure us of the truth of these high mysteries and sweet mercies so the rich man could say in hell if one went to them from the dead they will repent and believe Rom. 16.30 now our dear Saviour himself was dead and is alive and as he is declared to be the Son of God by his Resurrection from the dead Rom. 1.4 so after his Resurrection he declared the great things of God confirming his Disciples in the truth of things formerly delivered and giving further testimonies and instructions Luk. 24 44-49.6 Still another way of manifestation is clear and christal Ordinances in which as in a fair glass we may behold both the face of God and the choicest mercies of the Covenant here you may not only hear the voice of God but see Jesus Christ evidently set forth crucified before your eyes Gal. 3.1 in the Sacrament of his blessed body and blood are obvious Gods Grace in giving Christ Christs love in giving himself his body broken for our food his blood shed for the remission of our sins and all the benefits of this new Covenant 7. Another way more yet of the Lords manifesting these mercies and so making them sure is the sanctifying and satisfying illumination of souls by his holy spirit by this holy unction they know all things 1 Joh. 2.20 God hath revealed them unto us by his spirit in 1 Cor. 2.10 12. now the spirit comes with conviction and demonstration answers all the souls doubts and cavils and leaves it without dispute and haesitancy so that the believing soul cannot but say they are sure mercies he dare not deny this for a world 10. Yet there is one other way whereby God doth make sure these mercies of the Covenant and that is marriage-knot a mutual and matrimonial ingagement in the perpetual and inviolable bond of the Covenant whereby Christ and the soul are inseparably linked together and this relates to the particular application of these Covenant-mercies and compleats all the former for saith the poor soul I do not question but these mercies are sure in themselves in their own nature and sure to some but are they so to me what ways may I be assured of my title thereunto and interest therein now this the Lord doth make good by entring into that sweet and familiar relation with his people of marriage Isa 54.5 Jer. 3.14 Rom. 7.4 thy maker is thy husband and I am marryed to you saith the Lord a believing soul is dead to the Law that he may be marryed to Christ and our heavenly husband hateth puting away Mal. 2.16 once marryed to Christ and for ever marryed to him death it selt breaks not this marriage-knot nay it fastens and heightens it here Christ and the soul are but as it were contracted there the marriage is solemnized with the acclamations of glorious Angels and glorified Saints for saith the Apostle 2 Cor. 11.2 I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chast Virgin to Christ now souls are fitting for that great solemnity when the marriage of the Lamb shall come that the bride is made ready Rev. 19.7 she is making her self ready in this world she is marryed at the illustrious day of Christs second appearing so then this marriage-knot cannot be broken since it is compleated in glory But yet more particularly consider that remarkable Text in Hosea 2.19 20. wherein the mercies of the Covenant are made over in a way of matrimonial relation And I will betroth thee unto me for ever c. in which Scripture there are four things that may assure the heart of the firmness of these
maist be feared Oh this is kindly when the sense of Gods love awes the soul to obedience and works upon it tenderness of Conscience that it can say I dare not grieve so good a God or offend so loving a Father who never did me hurt who is always doing me good shall I render evil for good God forbid this is Child-like and ingenuous and doth demonstrate a Covenant-relation 5. Sanctification is another Covenant-promise Ezek. 36.25 then will I sprinkle clean water upon you and ye shall be clean from all your filthiness and from all your Idolâ— will I cleanse you this is a sweet disposition what can you say to it not that the soul in this life can be free from the remainders of corruption for what is man that â—e should be clean but the power Job 15.14 strength and Dominion of sin is crushed in a Covenanted soul so that it may be truly said of the Regenerate that he hath a clean heart Psal 24.4 Joh. 13.10 and clean hands and Christ saith his Disciples were clean all except Judas Well then â—hath the good Word of God made you holy Joh. 15.3 and cleansed your hearts do you desire to make clean the inside of the Cup as well as out-side I mean do you cleanse your selves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit resolving to perfect holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 Job 17.9 are you growing stronger and stronger he that â—hath clean hands doth renew his strength are you washed from your idols i. e. the sin to which you are most addicted Psal 18.23 and keep your selves from your own iniquity can you say you hate every false way can you cut off a right-hand sin pluck out a right-eye sin though never so dear and useful pleasant and profitable do you resist and conquer in some measure your master-lusts so that you can say through grace Rom. 6.14 sin hath not Dominion over you though you feel to your cost it hath possession in you can you say you are prepared for duties and ordinances 2 Chron. 30.19 Act. 15.9 Psal 119.9 though you be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary doth faith in God's promises purifie your hearts do you cleanse your ways by observing Scripture-precepts Psal 51.10 do you pray hard for a clean heart as well as clear state Oh sirs try your selves in these things unless you be sanctified you are not justified many are undone through self-deceit in this case Solomon saith there is a generation that are pure in their own eyes yet is not cleansed from their filthiness Prov. 30.12 take heed of this and labour to evidence your justification by your sanctification 6. Another gracious effect of the New Covenant is A new heart and a new spirit Ezek. 36.26 this is an holy disposition an habit of grace the image of God the Divine nature strangely changing altering metamorphosing the soul casting it into a new mold and turning the stream and current of the souls motions and affections into another channel to a complyance with God's will and a tendency towards Heaven and the things of Heaven this is a wonderful act and fruit of God's free-grace and sanctifying spirit and oh what a change doth it produce in the heart and life not only a mental change to have the mind adorned with some general truths in a notional way so that whereas before a man was an ignorant Sot now he is grown a knowing person and learned discourser or disputant nor yet is it only a moral change whereby a man formerly a notorious offender is grown an exact Civilian nor yet a formal change by which a careless neglecter is become a constant performer of religious duties which is good so far yet no more than an hypocrite may do Simon Magus believes Herod doth many things Ahab fasts Judas can Pray and Preach But the new creature goes beyond them all for 't is a Cordial Spiritual Evangelical change of the whole man to what is good so that now the soul hath new motions actions conversation a new rule a new principle a new end new affections new loves and delights a new light and life new heat and strength new companions and acquiescence new griefs fears burdens back hopes hatred desires and expectations old things are past away and behold all things are become new so that it may well be called a new Creation 2 Cor. 5.17 Christians try your selves in this what work of God hath passed upon your souls have you a new heart are you made holy as God is holy doth this new heart hate and expel sin doth it close with real Saints as Saints doth it breathe after Grace in the souls of relations neighbours doth it make you sensible of the smilings and hidings of God's face doth it raise your hearts to heavenly objects and delights doth Grace in some measure gâ—â—w thrive increase and come on in your souls do you Worship God in a spiritual manner and long for Communion with him here and in Heaven 7. A soft heart is promised in the new Covenant Ezek. 36.26 I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and give you an heart of flesh i. e. a soft broken and tender heart a flexible plyant and melting disposition not so much the eyes pouring floods of tears for that may proceed from a natural constitution but a soul grieved for sin as offence against God which lyes in the sinners account and estimation looking upon it as the greatest evil and worse than the worst affliction and if it were to do again he would rather be torn to pieces than willingly commit such a sin he would give all the World if in his power that it were undone again and therefore is it that the Scripture rather expresseth it by mourning than by weeping for weeping is rather a passionate act of the outward senses and irascible faculties though 't is desirable to give vent to inward sorrow by outward tears but mourning is an heart-contrition and hearty compunction for sin as dishonouring God grieving his Spirit Crucifying his Son and violating his holy and righteous Law well then have you soft and tender hearts i. e. can you lay to heart your sins as the greatest evils that ever befell you can you justifie God if he should condemn you can you condemn your selves as worthy to be damned in Hell for ever do you loath your selves for all your abominations can you wish you had been upon the rack when you committed such sins are you weary and heavy laden with the intolerable burden of the guilt of sin and what would you give or leave to have it taken off is your heart sensible of the absolute need you have of Jesus Christ are you soft and plyable to Gods holy will attentive to Divine motions retentive of Divine impressions doth the least hint of God's mind find in you an observant spirit when God saith seek
acceptable to God to see souls attracted to him by silken cords of love than scourged to him by severe flashes of wrath Christs souldiers are not so much prest for his service by compulsion as they are volunteers by a spontaneous motion all our duties should be free-will offerings But alas sirs how unwilling and forced are many of our performances how grumbling are we in our actings for God we go to God as though it were our burden not with that delight and chearfulness we ought consider sirs how readily God offers us mercy how freely Christ laid down his life for us how acceptable a work it is to the blessed spirit to apply these mercies to us and be ashamed to be so sour and dull in your performance yea consider the dispensation you are under a Gospel-Covenant made up of mercy and this should ripen our fruits to more sweetness and maturity than the old Testament-dispensation as you know Apricocks and other fruit that are upon a Wall under the direct influence or powerful reflection of the Sun-beams are sooner ripe and sweeter when ripe than such as are in the shadow so our fruits in Gospel-times should be better than theirs under the Law but alas how far do we fall short of Davids warm spirit for God or the holy acts put forth by the Saints of God under types and shadows when these sweet mercies were not so clearly revealed to them and the Sun of Righteousness beat not so hot upon them Ah Christians if you would study mercies more your spirits would be in a better frame for duty David saith I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy Temple Psal 5.7 observe it the sense of Gods mercy is an excellent ingredient in the Worship of God yea it begets an holy awe of God for these two are very consistent and indeed nothing is so prevalent a motive to duty and disswasive from iniquity and perswasive to the exercise of repentance as sense of mercy is this truth Scripture and experience will abundantly confirm But I have been too large on this subject only let Gods Children be humbled for their too too legal spirits and breath after a more Evangelical Spirit by the studying of these mercies rather than poring upon guilt and wrath So much for the fourth Use CHAP. X. V. THE fifth Use of Exhortation is to all sorts of persons to look after their share in these sure mercies of David and oh that I had a Tongue and Pen to drive this nail home Oh what a mercy now would it be if by these sure mercies of David and Discourses about them some soul were enamoured therewith and set in good earnest to make them its own But shall I need to use many arguments to perswade any poor soul to accept of mercy Yes certainly the most part of the World forsake their own mercies by observing lying vanities and they that can experimentally distinguish betwixt a gracious and graceless heart find that 't is the hardest thing in the World to close in with mercies in Gods way 't is an easie thing for a secure sinner to presume upon mercy to make mercy a pillow to sleep upon with ease to build Castles in the Aire and feed our selves with groundless conceits of the mercy of God this any one can do but to be got of our own bottoms to despair in our selves to accept of Jesus Christ give up our selves to God in Covevant venture a troubled heart upon the promises of Free-grace this is an high and hard work an arduous and difficult undertaking but this is done by every converted sinner and a soul never obtains mercy till it be indeed savingly converted 1 Tim. 1.13 if you be Lo-ammi Hos 1.6 9 not Gods people by way of Covenant you are Lo-ruhamah i. e. persons that have not obtained mercy Oh look after an interest in these sure mercies of David Consider 1. Nothing else in the World can be made sure we live in an inconstant World every thing is upon the wheel of change sublunary comforts are like the Moon sometimes at the full and sometimes in the wane nothing continues in a fixed station a man may be rich to day and poor to morrow therefore the Apostle calls them uncertain riches or uncertainty of riches in the abstract now then saith the Apostle Christians must lay up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come Bavyer Emp. of Germany said Hujusmodi comâ—arandâ—e sunt opâ—s quae cum naâ—fragio simul enatent Non est Paupertas pâ—curiae paucitas sed insatiabilitas quae si reâ—â—sserit qui bonus est dives quogâ—e fuâ—rit Clem. Alexand. Strom. lib. 2. 1 Tim. 6.17 18. Alas riches were never true to any that trusted to them the things of the World are like smoak or sand with which you cannot fill your hand who would be so fond of that which a man knows he cannot keep 't is the part of a wise man to purchase such an estate as he may enjoy friends goods honours health pleasures have their periods but these mercies are sure and everlasting Oh the vast difference it 's very considerable that the things that make us happy can only be made sure but the things of this World which cannot make us happy cannot be made sure and indeed whatever may be lost is not capable of making any truly happy now Heavenly things are durable as well as suitable to the soul therefore let us all take the counsel of our Lord Jesus in Mat. 6.19.20 Lay not up for your selves treasures upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt and where Thieves break through and steal But lay up for your selves treasures in Heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal 2. Except you have an interest in these sure mercies common mercies are accursed to you nor indeed have you any real Covenant-title to any thing you enjoy whatever interest you have before men in foro humano yet in foro Dei you are in the Court of Heaven in a sort usurpers however you have forfeited all by actual rebellion and have but what you enjoy as condemned Prisoners or Malefactors to keep you alive till execution of the righteous sentence of condemnation Oh the woful condition of Unconverted sinners they are accursed with a Gospel-curse 1 Cor. 16.22 Prov. 3.33 and under a dreadful sentence of excommunication there 's a curse in their houses on their actions on their relations as to them there 's a curse upon their very blessings Mal. 2.2 there 's a plague in their apparel poison in their meat and we may say death is in the Pot as to all their enjoyments my meaning is nothing is truly sanctified or perfumed with Covenant-mercy and if God give it a commission whatever they enjoy may be their bane whithersoever they go a curse goes